More Than Greek

Fastest Ever Cinnamon Buns

2012-01-15T06:16:00.000-08:00

Today is my birthday! Happy birthday to me! I wanted cinnamon rolls for breakfast, but didn't want the time grueling dough raising. I found this recipe in an older magazine. I was a little leary at first, but was pleasantly surprised at the end. They are especially good when you put the icing on during the five minute wait period. It allows it to soak in. Enjoy!

Yields 12 buns

For the Dough:
3/4 c cottage cheese
1/3 c buttermilk
1/4 c granulated sugar
4 TB unsalted butter, melted
1 tsp vanilla
2 c all purpose flour
1 TB baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda

For the Filling:
1 1/2 TB unsalted butter, melted
2/3 c packed light or dark brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground allspice
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1 c chopped pecans

For the Glaze:
2/3 c powdered sugar
2-3 TB cold milk
1 tsp vanilla

Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Grease the sides and bottom of 9 or 10 inch springform pan with cooking spray.

In food processor, combine the cottage cheese, buttermilk, sugar, melted butter, and vanilla. Process until smooth, about 10 seconds. Add the flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda and pulse in short bursts just until the dough clumps together (don't over-process). The dough will be soft and moist.

Scrape the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it with floured hands 4 or 5 times until smooth. With a rolling pin, roll the dough into a 12x15 rectangle.

Brush the dough with the melted butter, leaving a 1/2 inch border unbuttered around the edges. In a medium bowl combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, allspice and cloves. Sprinkle the mixture over the buttered area of the dough and pat gently into the surface. Sprinkle the nuts over the sugar mixture.

Starting at the long edge, roll up the dough jelly-roll style. Pinch the seam to seal, and leave the ends open. With a sharp knife, cut the roll into 12 euql pieces. Set the pieces, cut side up, in the prepared pan, they should fill the pan and touch slightly, but don't worry if there are small gaps.

Bake until golden brown and firm to the touch, 20 to 28 minutes. Set the pan on a wire rack to cool for 5 minutes.

Glaze: In a small bowl, mix the powdered sugar, 2 TB milk and vanilla to make a smooth glaze. Drizzle over the rolls. Let stand 15 minutes then serve.

Fiesta Rice

2011-08-12T09:37:00.000-07:00

Along with some beef and black bean enchiladas we had this tasty fiesta rice. It was simple to make and once again, not on the spicy side. I am sure you could doctor it up to your taste and add more spice, but with young ones in the house we have to stick a little milder.

Fiesta Rice

2 cups water
1 (5.4 oz) packet quick cooking fiesta rice
1 (12-oz) bag frozen whole kernel corn
3 tablespoons chopped green chiles (undrained)

Place water in medium saucepan. Cover and bring to boil on high.

Stir in rice (with seasonings), corn and chiles, cover and return to boil

Stir, cover and reduce heat to medium, cook 8 minutes

Remove from heat; let stand 5 minutes. Fluff with fork and serve.

Southwest Beef and Black Bean Enchiladas

2011-08-12T07:38:00.001-07:00

I love when I walk into a grocery store and they have their little "chef" cooking a recipe that scents up the whole place. I get a chance to try something new without having to fix it first and hear the complaints of "I don't like it". Recently my husband tried a recipe in our local Publix. He pulled the card with the recipe on it and brought it home. I was actually surprised at how easy they were to make and how good they tasted.

Southwest Beef and Black Bean Enchiladas

1 (17-oz) package fully cooked beef pot roast
1 (8-oz) can tomato sauce
2/3 cup salsa verde
6 (10-inch) flour or corn tortillas
8 oz. shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided
1 (15-oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
2 tablespoons chopped green chiles, divided

Preheat oven 400. Microwave roast on HIGH 2-3 minutes or until warm. Transfer gravy from roast to medium saucepan. Finely shred meat using two forks; place in medium bowl.

Stir in tomato sauce and salsa verde into gravy; cook on medium 3-4 minutes or until hot. Add 3/4 cup of the gravy mixture to pot roast. Spread 1/2 cup gravy mixture over bottom of 9x13 baking dish.

Spoon down center of each tortilla: 1/3 cup beef mixture, 1/4 cup cheese, 3 tablespoons black beans, and 1 teaspoon chiles. Roll tortillas around filling and place, seam side down, in baking dish. Top enchiladas with remaining 3/4 cup gravy mixture and 1/2 cup cheese. Bake 18-20 minutes or until cheese melts and enchiladas have browned slightly. Serve.

I loved these! They are not spicy since the salsa verde was mild. That is the only thing that adds any sort of spice to it, so if you like extra spicy, find a spicier salsa verde.

Blueberry Muffins

2009-03-12T10:55:00.000-07:00

I am not one for early morning cooking, but I found this recipe and thought I would try it. I was not disappointed. They were awesome! My husband said they tasted better than the ones from the store he works. That is a definite compliment since it is a high end gourmet store.

1 1/2 cups flour
3/4 cup white sugar
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsps baking powder
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 egg
1/3 cup milk
1 cup fresh bluberries (I used frozen, worked fine)
1/2 cup white sugar
1/3 cup flour
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1 1/2 tsps ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 400. Grease muffin cups or line with muffin liners.

Combine 1 1/2 cups flour, 3/4 cup sugar, salt and baking powder. Place vegetable oil into a 1 cup measuring cup; add the egg and enough milk to fill the cup. Mix this with the flour mixture. Fold in the blueberries. fill muffin cups right to the top, and sprinkle with crumb topping mixture.

To make crumb topping mixture ~ Mix together 1/2 cup sugar, 1/3 cup flour, 1/4 cup butter, and 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon. Mix with fork, and sprinkle over muffins before baking.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until done.

Pastitsio - Greek Macaroni and Meat Casserole

2009-01-29T12:20:00.000-08:00

I recently had the great joy of having my brother visit. He took the time from his busy schedule to come down and see me. I think he just came because of the warm weather. Living in Chicago is a little chilly this time of year. He loves Greek food, as this is of our background. I prepared this dish, amongst many, for him.

2 large onions, minced
3 TB butter
2 pounds lean ground beef
Salt and pepper to taste
1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce
1 cup water
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
Dash of sugar
1/2 cup bread crumbs
2 1/2 cups grated parmesan cheese
1 pound elbow macaroni
1 1/2 TB melted butter
Cream Sauce (recipe follows)

In a large saucepan, saute onions in butter until tender. Crumble meat into the pan and brown well. Drain off fat. Add salt, pepper, tomato sauce, water, cinnamon and sugar; simmer for 35 to 40 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and cool. Add half the bread crumbs and 1 1/4 cups cheese to the meat mixture.

Cook macaroni in boiling, salted water with oil until almost done. Rinse; drain well. Butter a 17X11 inch baking pan; sprinkle with 2 TB bread crumbs. Spread half of macaroni on bottom. Sprinkle 1/2 cup cheese over the macaroni. Cover with meat mixture. Pour half the cream sauce over the meat; then spread remaining macaroni; sprinkle with 1/2 cup cheese. Top with remaining sauce. Sprinkle with remaining bread crumbs and cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes or until golden brown. Let stand 20 minutes before cutting. Freezes well. To reheat, place frozen pastitsio, covered loosely with foil, in a 350 degree oven for 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until heated through completely. Makes 24 squares

Cream Sauce

3/4 cup butter
3/4 cup all purpose flour
6 cups warm milk
Dash of nutmeg
8 eggs
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

In a saucepan, melt butter and blend in flour, stirring constantly with a wire whisk. Gradually add warm milk, stirring vigorously until sauce thickens. Add nutmeg, remove from heat and cool. Beat eggs with wire whisk. Add 1/2 cup cooled sauce; then pour back into cream sauce. Stir in cheese.

Ezekiel Bread

2009-01-22T13:59:00.000-08:00

I have done some research on finding a simple Ezekiel bread. Most of them you have to grow some of the ingredients yourself, mix them, and wait. Too much work. I finally found a recipe that is a little less cumbersome to make.

3 packages active dry yeast (1/4 ounce each)
5 cups warm water (110 to 115 degrees), divided
1 tablespoon plus 2/3 cup honey, divided
2/3 cup canola oil
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons salt
4 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup toasted wheat germ
6 to 8 cups bread flour

In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in 3/4 cup warm water and 1 tablespoon honey. Add the remaining water and honey, the oil, sugar, salt, whole wheat flour, wheat germ and 3 cups bread flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining bread flour to form a soft dough (dough will be sticky).

Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a bowl coated with cooking spray, turning once to coat the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.

Punch dough down. Shape into four loaves. Place in 9x5x3 inch loaf pans coated with cooking spray. Cover and let rise until nearly doubled, about 30 minutes.

Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool

Yield: 4 loaves (16 slices each) 1 slice equals 108 calories.

Greek Rice Pudding - Rizogolo

2009-01-20T17:30:00.000-08:00

I haven't tried this one personally, but it sure looks good!

1 quart milk
1/4 cup rice
5 TB sugar
1 slice of lemon
1/4 cup butter
3 eggs
1/3 cup water
cinnamon

Boil rice in water over high flame until it reaches the boiling point, then lower heat and cook on medium until rice absorbs all of water. Add milk, sugar, butter and lemon.

Over high flame let come to a boil. Lower to medium and cook for 40 minutes stirring occasionally. Remove from fire. Beat eggs well with rotary beater for 8 minutes. Add to mixture slowly, and beat for 2 minutes longer. Replace on stove and continue beating. Cook 2 minutes longer.

Pour into individual custard cups, sprinkle with cinnamon and serve cold. Serves 10

Greek Sugar Cake Ravani

2009-01-18T18:39:00.000-08:00

Ok, couldn't resist. Here is another cake for you to try. This is not for the "skinny" people.

1 lb sugar
7 eggs, separated
1 tsp lemon extract
3/4 lb butter
1 lb rice flour

Cream butter and sugar throughly with mixer for approximately 5 minutes. Add egg yolks, flavoring and flour and mix well.

Whip egg white until stiff and combine with first mixture. Pour into buttered pan 9x12 and bake in 35o oven for 30 minutes. (I am guessing 350 as the temp. It just says moderate temp)

Top with sliced pineapple or cherries.

Walnut Honey Cake or Karidopita

2009-01-18T18:33:00.000-08:00

I figured since I have Greek in the title of the blog, I should at least put one recipe. I got this recipe from my grandmother's cookbook. She was old world Greek and came over from the country many many years ago.

6 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 cup sifted flour
2 heaping tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cloves
1 lb walnuts chopped fine

Sift together, flour, baking powder, salt and spices. Whip egg whites until stiff and add sugar gradually continuing beating, then add egg yolks. Fold in sifted ingredients and nuts and mix well.

Bake in a 9x13 pan at 350 for 35 minutes. While still hot top with syrup made as follows:

2 cups honey
2 cups sugar
5 1/2 cups water

Boil sugar and water for 10 minutes to make thin syrup then add honey and cool. Pour over cake slowly. Serves 24

Old Fashioned Buttermilk Cookies

2009-01-16T10:39:00.000-08:00

My MIL makes these at Christmas every year. This year she came without them so I had to bother her for the recipe so I could fill that empty spot they usually take care of.

OLD FASHIONED BUTTERMILK TEA CAKES
A recipe for old fashioned buttermilk tea cakes, similar to sugar cookies.

5 to 6 cups flour
4 eggs
2 cups sugar
1 cup butter
1 cup thick buttermilk
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla

Put 5 cups of flour in a large mixing bowl. Make a well in the center. Add remaining ingredients to the well of the flour. Using a spoon (or your hand) gradually stir in flour as you mix the ingredients in the well of the flour. Continue until you make a stiff dough, adding more flour if needed. On a floured surface, roll out to about 1/8-inch thickness; cut out.

Bake on lightly greased baking sheets at 350 degrees F until brown around the edges.

Makes 6 to 7 dozen tea cakes.
adapted from a recipe by Diana Rattray

Hershey Chocolate Bar Brownies

2009-01-13T17:15:00.000-08:00

I finally found a recipe to use all of those candy bars that I snuck from the Halloween candy and from Christmas candy. Enjoy.

36 hershey miniatures
1 cup butter or margarine
2 cups sugar
2/3 cup hersheys cocoa
4 eggs (beaten)
3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Oven 350. Grease 9x13 pan. Remove wrappers from chocolate. Cut each bar into about 8 pieces; set aside. Melt butter in medium saucepan over low heat. Add sugar and cocoa; stir to blend. Remove from heat. Stir in eggs. Stir together flour, salt and baking soda; stir into chocolate mixture. Stir in vanilla and chocolate bar pieces. Spread in prepared pan. Bake 30-35 minutes until brownies pull away from sides of pan and begin to crack slightly; do not overbake. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Cut into bars. About 36 brownies

You can also prepare family size 9x13 pan brownies mix according to package directions; stir in chocolate bar pieces. Bake according to package directions.

Measuring Equivalents

2009-01-13T13:12:00.001-08:00

I have been working on a recipe and moving right along when all of the sudden I can't figure out what the equivalent of a measurement is. You know, they put one size and then you have to figure it out with what you have. I came across this chart a long time ago and keep it preciously in my book for reference. Hope it can help you someday!

1 Tablespoon = 3 teaspoons

1/8 cup = 2 Tablespoons

1/4 cup = 4 Tablespoons

1/3 cup = 5 Tablespoons + 1 teaspoon

1/2 cup = 8 Tablespoons

2/3 cup = 10 Tablespoons + 2 teaspoons

3/4 cup = 12 Tablespoons

1 cup = 48 teaspoons

1 cup = 16 Tablespoons

8 fluid ounces = 1 cup

1 pint = 2 cups

1 quart = 2 pints

4 cups = 1 quart

1 gallon = 4 quarts

16 ounces = 1 pound

Hashbrown Potato Casserole

2009-01-12T15:26:00.000-08:00

This is great for potlucks or carry-ins.

1 32oz bag hashbrowns, thawed
1/2 cup melted butter
1 can cream of chicken
1 12oz velveeta, shredded
1 8oz sour cream
1/2 small onion chopped

Topping:
2 cups crushed cornflakes
1/2 cup melted butter

Put potatoes in 9x13 pan. Mix soup, melted butter, cheese, sour cream, and onions. Mix with potatoes. Top with cornflakes; drizzle butter. Bake 350 for 45 minutes.

Beef Taco Skillet

2009-01-12T15:24:00.000-08:00

Something quick and easy for those rushed evenings.

1 pound hamburger
1 can tomato soup
1/2 cup salsa
1/2 cup water
6 flour tortillas cut into 1" pieces
1/2 cup shredded cheddar

Brown hamburger. Pour off fat. Add soup, salsa, water, tortillas. Heat to boil. Reduce heat, cook 5 minutes. Stir. Top with cheese.

Potato Salmon Au Gratin

2009-01-12T15:21:00.000-08:00

Kind of like au gratin potatoes with salmon. Not too bad.

7 potatoes, peeled, sliced
1 onion
2 TB butter
2 cups milk
1 can salmon
1/8 block velveeta (we like ours extra cheesy so we add more)

Melt butter in skillet. Cook onion, add flour. Whisk in milk. Boil 1 minute. While stirring, add cheese and melt. Add drained salmon. Arrange half of the sliced potatoes in dish. Pour 1/2 salmon mix. Repeat.

Bake 350 for 30 minutes.

This works great if you have a skillet that can be used in the oven. One less dish to wash.

Creamy Cheddar Soup

2009-01-12T15:19:00.000-08:00

Another Paula Deen favorite of ours. This soup is tasty without being overly cheesy.

1 small onion diced
3 TB butter
3 TB flour
1 1/2 cup chicken broth
1 1/2 cup cream
3/4 cup grated cheddar

Saute onions 5 to 7 minutes. Add flour. Add broth and cream. Cook til thick. Add cheese. Stir until melted.

Vegetarian Chili

2009-01-12T11:22:00.000-08:00

I, myself am not a big meat eater. This chili is quick, easy and still tastes good. Even my kids like it.

1 can light red kidney beans
1 can dark red kidney beans
1 can chili beans
6 oz tomato sauce
1 packet chili mix (spicy or not, your choice)
1 small onion chopped
2 cups cooked pasta
2 cups shredded colby jack
1 bag Fritos

Rinse kidney beans. Mix all but pasta, cheese and fritos in a large pan.

Cook pasta according to directions. To serve - put some pasta in your bowl, top with chili, cheese and fritos!

White Pizza

2009-01-12T11:17:00.000-08:00

For those not too excited about all of the tomato sauce, this one is really good too!

1 pre-made pizza dough (some grocery stores sell them ready in the bakery)
2 cups ricotta cheese
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
Handful chopped parsley (I use the dried)
2 cups shredded mozarella

Spread a little olive oil on the dough. Mix ricotta, garlic and parsley. Spread on dough. Top with mozarella or provolone.

Bake 425 for 15 to 20 minutes.

Hot Hoagies

2009-01-12T11:13:00.000-08:00

Quick, easy and to the point!

3/4 cup margarine, softened
1 envelope italian salad dressing mix
6 hoagie buns, split
12 to 16 oz sliced lunch meat (salami, ham and/or turkey)
12 thin slices cheese (swiss, cheddar )

Combine butter and salad dressing; spread 1 TB inside each bun. Layer one slice of meat, 2 slices cheese, 1 slice meat. Put bun top on. Spread 1 TB butter mix over top. Broil 6 inches from heat 2-3 minutes.

If you can't make all six sandwiches in one night, the butter will be fine if you put it back in the fridge for a couple of days.

Chicken Tater Bake

2009-01-12T10:07:00.000-08:00

Creamy dish with tater tots and chicken. Purchase a rotisserie chicken from the deli and shred it. Keep the meat in the freezer to have quick shredded chicken for recipes.

2 cans cream of chicken
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup butter, cubed
3 cup shredded chicken
1 16oz package peas and carrots, thawed
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 bag tater tots

Saucepan - soup, milk, butter. Cook until heated through. Remove from heat and add chicken, peas and carrots and 1 cup cheese.

You can either do two 8x8 or 1 9x13. Cook one 8x8 and freeze the other for later.

Pour chicken mixture in chosen pan and top with tater tots. Sprinkle remaining cheese. Cover with foil and bake

Oven 350 35 minutes for 8x8 pan
1 hour for 9x13

Uncover and bake 5-10 minutes longer.

Manicotti

2009-01-12T10:02:00.000-08:00

This is great. Make it the night before and have something ready to put in the oven when you get home. Add some garlic bread and a salad and you are good to go.

12 large manicotti noodles
4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
2 cups ricotta cheese
6 TB dried basil
1 26oz jar spaghetti sauce, divided
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

Oven 350. Spray 9x13 pan with nonstick spray. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain, rinse. Let dry on paper towels. For filling, in medium bowl stir 3 cups mozzarella with ricotta and basil. Using a teaspoon carefully stuff pasta shells with cheese mixture. Spoon 2 cups spaghetti sauce into baking dish. Arrange pasta over sauce. Pour rest of sauce on top. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake 15 minutes. Sprinkle with parmesan and bake 10 minutes more.

Potato Soup

2009-01-12T08:50:00.000-08:00

This is a favorite of ours on a cold day. Yes, in Florida we do get those once in a while. The recipe is one of Paula Deen's so it is rich and flavorful.

1/2 stick butter
1 small onion, diced
2 medium carrots, diced
2 TB flour
8 medium russet potatoes, peeled, cubed
2 chicken boullion cubes, dissolved in 1/2 c hot milk
4 cups milk
1 cup half and half
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

Melt butter and saute onion and carrots until tender. Whisk in flour and cook 1 minutes. Add potatoes, milk and dissolved boullion cubes. Cook over medium heat until potatoes are soft. Add half and half, salt and pepper.

Add some crackers, and a little shredded cheddar cheese and you are good to go!

Salisbury Steak and Gravy

2009-01-12T08:45:00.000-08:00

These are good. My husband doesn't do the frozen dinner things so I make my salisbury from scratch.

1 pound lean ground beef
1 egg
1/2 cup Bisquick mix
1/8 tsp pepper
1 TB vegetable oil
1 medium onion, cut in half, then sliced
2 12oz can beef gravy

Mix beef, egg, 1/4 c bisquick and pepper. With wet hands shape mixture into 6 oval patties about 1/2 inch thick. Lightly coat patties with remaining 1/4 c bisquick. In 12 inch pan, heat oil. Arrange patties in single layer. Add onion slices around and on top of patties. Cook 12 to 16 minutes, turning patties once, until at least 160 degrees in center. Remove fat if necessary. Add gravy to skillet. Turn patties to coat with gravy. Heat to boiling.

I serve these with mashed potatoes (scratch or instant) and a vegetable.

Sloppy Joes A La Bobby (crockpot)

2009-01-12T08:43:00.001-08:00

Makes a nice amount. Eat some and freeze some for later!

3 pounds ground beef
1 cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 cup ketchup
1 cup chopped green pepper
1/2 cup water
4 TB brown sugar
4 TB prepared mustard
4 TB vinegar
4 TB worcestershire sauce
3 tsp chili pepper

Brown the hamburger, onion, garlic. Drain. In crock combine ketchup, green pepper, water, brown sugar, mustard, vinegar, worcestershire and chili powder. Stir; add meat. Low 6-8 hours or high 3-4 hours.

Braided Stuffed Pizza Bread

2009-01-12T08:36:00.001-08:00

This is one that is easy and quick and with a salad on the side is ready to go within 25 minutes. This is a Pillsbury recipe.

1 can (13.8 oz) pillsbury refrigerated pizza crust
2 TB boursin cheese with garlic and herbs (the cow in the cardboard circle box found by deli)
3 oz. thinly sliced Canadian bacon (we don't use)
10 slices pepperoni
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
2 TB shredded parmesan cheese
1 Egg yolk
1 tsp water

(i.e. TB = tablespoon tsp = teaspoon)

Oven to 400. Spray cookie sheet with cooking spray. Unroll dough on cookie sheet to 14x11 inch rectangle.

Spread the garlic and herb cheese lengthwise down center 1/3 of rectangle to within 1/2 inch of short ends. Top with bacon, pepperoni, mozzarella and parmesan cheese.

With scissors or sharp knife, make cuts 1 inch apart on long sides of dough to within 1/2 of filling. Alternate strips over filling like you are braiding. Fold ends under to seal.

In small bowl, mix egg yolk and water until well blended. Brush over dough.

Bake 11 to 16 minutes or until golden brown. Cut crosswise. Serve with pizza sauce.

What's for Dinner?

2009-01-12T08:11:00.000-08:00

I recently found that a lot of people are really strapped for time with trying to figure out what to cook for dinner. I have some simple yet tasty recipes I will be posting here. This will be a general spot not only for myself, but for others who I can share. I will be pulling recipes from different resources and putting them here for easier access for myself, as well as remembering where they are!